Supported by Stockport Youth Justice and Targeted Youth Support, over 45 children aged 10 to 13 attended the event, for a day of sports and educational workshop activities, staffed by community outreach coaches and 93:20 volunteers.
While a 5-a-side football tournament between two teams from each club foundation formed a significant part of the day, there was also a boxing activity focusing on fitness and hand-eye coordination, as well as a pitch side workshop from Trailblazers.
The Trailblazers project, backed by the Premier League Charitable Fund, aims to celebrate the rich diversity of players in British football through interactive workshops with Kicks and Inspires groups of young people, to discover more about football players and cultural figures from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Following the sporting activities and workshops, the players enjoyed lunch together as well as the opportunity to socialise with players brought to the event from other club foundations.
Laura Wilson, Community Outreach Officer for Kicks, managed the event, said, “It’s fantastic to welcome participants back to the Community pitch at the City Football Academy (CFA) for a Kicks event such as this, and great to see all players getting involved and having fun.
“We are delighted to welcome the players and staff from Stockport County and the Manchester United foundation to the CFA too, and hope everyone attending enjoyed their day. I’d also like to thank the team at Stockport Youth Justice and Targeted Support, for supporting the event as well as their ongoing support of the Kicks Programme.”
The participants at the event were invited as part of their ongoing attendance at the Kicks programme weekly sessions in Reddish. The Kicks programme helps to support young people through sport, aged 8-19 from the most deprived communities in Greater Manchester.
Kicks is an outreach programme which provides free evening, weekend and school holiday provision. Through mentoring and open-access football sessions, including specific Female Empowerment and disability provision, Kicks delivers 6 days a week, 48 weeks a year ensuring CITC has a consistent presence across Greater Manchester.
The Kicks programme also seeks to addresses the lack of opportunity for those living in areas of social deprivation whilst providing positive activities at times and in communities where there is a gap in youth provision and availability of recreational sporting opportunities.
To find out more about the Kicks programme or sessions in Greater Manchester, please contact Laura Wilson at laura.wilson@cityfootball.com.
